Lebanon and Israel resume talks in Rome on phased withdrawal

Lebanon and Israel held a fresh round of U.S.-sponsored talks in Rome on Tuesday, with Beirut pressing for a phased Israeli withdrawal from the country's south. Convoys carrying delegations arrived at the U.S. embassy in the Italian capital, where discussions are scheduled to run until Thursday.

The United States, which is mediating the talks, reaffirmed its commitment to the process. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Washington remains fully committed to supporting both governments in delivering lasting security, eliminating threats to Israel, and restoring Lebanese state authority throughout the south.

This week's negotiations are the seventh round since Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the West Asian war in March with rocket fire at Israel in support of its backer Iran. Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and a ground invasion that Lebanon says have killed more than 4,300 people.

The talks follow a framework agreement reached in Washington in June. That deal involves the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon's south, and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the region, beginning in test areas known as pilot zones.

Hezbollah's leader, Naim Qassem, dismissed the direct negotiations as bringing nothing but shame and humiliation for Lebanon. In a televised address, he also criticised President Joseph Aoun, saying he had become biased and divisive rather than acting as an arbiter.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged both sides to continue in a constructive spirit and identify shared solutions to fully implement the framework agreement. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said his government is pursuing efforts towards successive Israeli withdrawals, leading to a full withdrawal.

Some progress has already been made. Israel's military pulled back from the outskirts of the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, one of the first pilot zones, and the Lebanese army deployed there, allowing residents to inspect their homes and businesses.

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa warned that moving too quickly risks jeopardising the very civilians the process is meant to protect. He stressed that both sides must agree on a clear, workable process before proceeding.

Observers note significant challenges remain. The Lebanese army's deployment is a major test, with doubts over its ability to disarm Hezbollah, which opposes the deal and refuses to surrender its weapons. Israel's commitment to withdraw will also be tested when pilot zones are selected in areas under its full occupation.

Violence in Lebanon has decreased since the Lebanon-Israel deal and the signing in June of a preliminary U.S.-Iran agreement on the West Asian conflict. But Lebanon continues to report intermittent Israeli strikes, shelling, detonations, and demolitions in southern villages.